The Future

In the wee hours of the morning, self tried to get a massage, and all the masahistas in the hotel were booked.

“Our first opening is in two hours, ma’am,” the front desk told self. “Try and sleep.”

Recently, a friend told her that what she remembered about self from a visit five years ago was how self began each and every day with reading her horoscope. It’s sort of like feng shui, only astrological. Or like having a fortune teller, only without paying.

Her horoscope for the day (It’s hilarious) goes:

An unexpected influx of money is coming your way today, but it won’t be enough to make a huge difference in your life. Consider donating it to a charity, a needy person you encounter during your day, or just a super efficient server at your favorite restaurant.

Today, self will be in Café Uma, arranging for her “Welcome to Bacolod” (two years late) party. The last time she was planning such a thing was July, last year, and her lawyer advised her that it was too soon. She had to cancel the whole thing, and it was mighty disappointing.

A few days ago, self walked into Café Uma, for the first time in a long while. She started thinking about her party again. She left a message for the owner, JoMari Gaston, saying she’d like to book the restaurant. At this point, Mr. Gaston must be thinking: It’s that crazy California woman again. When is she ever going to give up?

Well, it’s almost a year and a half later. Self is once again in Bacolod. This year, she’s been to India, seen the white-capped peaks of Dharamsala, encountered southern Scotland and fell in love with the city of Edinburgh. Went to Amsterdam for the first time in decades. Arrived in Paris and discovered Montmartre.

She saw Christmas decorations going up in the hotel lobby and decided: The time for celebration is now!